The Eagle and the Hart is a dual biography of two English kings, Richard II and Henry IV (also known as Bolingbroke). Cousins born just a few months apart, they were both grandsons of Edward III, so their lives were linked from the beginning, although their paths to the throne were very different. In this biography, which was longlisted for last year’s Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, historian Helen Castor explores the stories of the two kings, with the title of the book inspired by their heraldic emblems, Richard’s white hart and Henry’s golden eagle. The book moves forward chronologically, beginning with the childhoods of both kings then continuing through Richard’s reign and deposition by Henry, finally ending just after Henry’s death in 1413.
Richard II is shown very much as he usually is: a weak, unpopular king whose reign was marked by high taxation and accusations of favouritism, his only shining moment being his handling of the Peasants’ Revolt; a man who believed in his divine right to rule, who liked the status and power that came with being king but didn’t have the personal qualities needed to be a good leader. Castor doesn’t challenge any of these ideas and her sympathies are clearly more with Henry, portrayed as having all the abilities Richard lacks but the misfortune to be born to a younger son and not in the direct line of succession. However, when Henry eventually seizes his chance to become king, his own reign is also beset with problems and he spends his time dealing with various plots, assassination attempts and rebellions.
Although I’ve read historical fiction featuring Richard II and Henry IV and both have popped up in some general non-fiction I’ve read about the period (such as The Plantagenets by Dan Jones), this is the first time I’ve read a full biography of either of them. It wasn’t quite what I would have preferred, though. The book is described in the blurb as ‘the story of one of the strangest and most fateful relationships in English history’, so I would have liked more focus on this relationship, more direct comparison of their backgrounds and discussion of how this shaped their different political and leadership styles, some analysis of their meetings and interactions etc. In fairness, as Castor points out in her introduction, it’s difficult to draw a psychological portrait without access to diaries, private letters or memoirs. What we get, then, is a book that feels like two separate biographies unfolding in parallel, with little crossover between the two, and I found the writing style generally quite dry and impersonal.
The Eagle and the Hart is a long book and I took my time reading it as there’s so much information to take in. There’s also some additional material at the front of the book including maps, family trees, a list of illustrations and at the back, taking up the final 25% of the book, a bibliography, directory of the main players in the royal and noble families, notes and an index. I think for anyone wanting to make a serious study of the period, this book could be a very useful resource. For the general reader, there’s maybe a bit more detail than is really necessary, but it obviously depends on the type of book you prefer and are looking for. The other book I’ve read by Castor, She-Wolves, was more enjoyable but I did get a lot out of reading this one as well.
She Reads Novels 
I haven’t read anything by her (yet!) but I do have two of her books (‘Joan of Arc’ & ‘She-Wolves’). But a bit of luck I might get one of those finished later in the year. Presently my history head seems to be focused on the 20th century…
I can definitely recommend She-Wolves and I’m sure the Joan of Arc book will be good as well, although I don’t have a copy of that one yet.
It seems odd to me that she would have chosen to write about both of them and stress their relationship when she doesn’t actually seem to have much source material about it. I have contemplated reading She-Wolves, though.
Yes, it’s odd. It just felt like two separate biographies alternating throughout the book. She-Wolves was a lot better.
The Wars of the Roses were…wild. Alison Weir’s book on them is fairly good.
Yes, I love reading about the Wars of the Roses. The period covered in this book is just before that, but you can see the foundations being laid. I need to look for the Alison Weir book.
Sounds the sort of historical bio I would’ve lapped up in past years but which I haven’t given any attention to for yonks – it does seem my sort of thing though!
It’s a very good biography – very thorough and well-researched – so I do recommend it, despite the few negative points I mentioned.
Helen, I am glad you got a lot out of this history, even if it was a bit dry and not quite what you hoped. I would like to read more non-fiction, as, like you, I read about these historical figures in historical novels. 🤴
Yes, it was definitely worth reading, even though I had been expecting something a bit different. I prefer to learn about historical figures through fiction, but it’s nice to read some non-fiction as well now and then to fill in the gaps.
wow, two major figures. odd to do two biographies in one book
Yes, I at least expected the two biographies to feel more connected, but they felt very separate. It was interesting, though!
Im sorry to hear this wasnt quite what you hoped for in terms of crossover between the two biographies. To have such a large chunk of the book dedicated to the bibliography and similiar content sounds intense too, but I guess that means a lot of research and reading went into making it.
I thought I’d possibly read a YA book by the author when I was younger but it turns out its written by her younger sister. I wasn’t sure until I checked as the author was listed as H. M. Castor though.
Yes, I could tell that a huge amount of research went into this book – it was quite impressive, although I don’t think I really needed so much detail! I didn’t know she has a sister who writes books as well. I can see why it would cause confusion with them having the same initial.
I don’t think she’s written many. It looks like theres only two and I hadn’t ever heard of the second of them 🤔